Agenda item

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 as follows:

·         Councillor Oliver said he is aware that Stephen Barclay MP is discouraging organisations from using MVV presumably to make it unviable, so he would like to ask Councillor Tierney if there is any chance that Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) would use MVV in the future.  Councillor Tierney responded that he wished he could say there is no chance because in 2019 CCC passed a motion almost unanimously opposing the Wisbech incinerator, but at a recent Environment Committee meeting they said they wanted to save money by using incineration but did not indicate where. If it is built, one of the obvious places to use would be the Wisbech MVV incinerator so it worries him that they may do that, and pressure needs to be put on them not to. He added that FDC members all agreed not to support the incinerator, and he still hopes that will be the case, but he is very concerned about it.

·         Councillor Imafidon referred to the building of the Fens Reservoir and asked if the Leader would write to Anglian Water to encourage their provision of apprenticeships, particularly considering the high number of youth unemployment in the area. Councillor Boden said that is a timely question as the Office for National Statistics has produced deprivation statistics showing Fenland ranked as one of the worst local authorities in the country in terms of skills out of an index of some 200. The Fens Reservoir is the largest infrastructure project ever seen in this region and given that there are massive commercial, employment and skills opportunities he will be happy to write to Anglian Water. He will also write to the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority to ask that he does the same as the more opportunities that can be provided for young people the better.

·         Councillor Cutler said she appreciated the Leader commented at a previous meeting that Fenland Inspire will continue until 2028 and has said that all areas will be treated equally but it does not feel like it in the rural villages. She pointed out that Murrow is a village with community spirit and a high volunteer base, but residents resent that it is one of the most neglected. Little is provided for them other than waste bin collections and young families have to travel to find decent play equipment. She asked Councillor Boden what the status is of the district wide assessment and where Murrow is in relation to that, adding that some adult fitness equipment would also be appreciated. Councillor Boden responded that he cannot answer about the assessment as that will be done by officers, but the remit is clear and that is to thoroughly assess Fenland in its entirety to find cold spots of play areas, and he will need to see that report first. However, while it is necessary to have a phased timing of works under Fenland Inspire, it is fluid and having received notification of the £1.5m Pride in Place impact funding from Government which must be spent by March 2027, then play areas is one specific area where that money can be spent. Cabinet agreed earlier this afternoon for officers to produce an assessment of play area equipment and whilst he cannot promise that Murrow will be on it, he will ensure the money is spready fairly across the whole area, in the parishes and villages as well as the four towns. Meanwhile, Councillor Boden noted the comments made by Councillor Cutler.

·         Councillor Miscandlon asked on behalf of Councillor Gerstner if the Leader accepted on behalf of FDC his responsibility to provide a foodbank in Whittlesey, given its notice to leave the Manor Leisure Centre, and what his plans are to provide a foodbank in Whittlesey. Councillor Boden responded that district councils do not have a statutory responsibility to provide foodbanks, however when the foodbank found itself potentially homeless a few years ago, FDC allowed the use of the leisure centre for emergency food aid, storage and distribution. He agreed it is an invaluable resource in Whittlesey, but when it was approved that the Manor would be refurbished, it was necessary to maintain it for the purpose of a leisure centre only. However, knowing the importance of the foodbank he was happy to assure former councillor David Mason that FDC would maintain the presence of it and he has since approached County Council officers who are looking into how they can assist. Whatever the outcome, FDC will ensure that the foodbank continues to operate despite not having a statutory duty to provide it. 

·         Councillor Booth referred to Councillor Boden’s response to Councillor Cutler and said that back in 2019, then councillor Sarah Bligh raised a motion asking for a review of all play areas. He asked if Councillor Boden is therefore saying that six years later, a completed assessment has still not been done? Councillor Boden said he remembered the report, thinking how much data there was and how difficult it was to compare areas but that was some years ago. Things have changed and there has already been some refurbishment but also a massive increase in housebuilding and population in some areas. He would expect officers to use the previous report as a basis for the review going forward and it was said at Cabinet today that at the next meeting a report will be received giving guidance as to where the play equipment could and should go. One size will not fit all, and the Council needs to be more flexible in reflecting actual need in individual localities. Councillor Booth said in that case most of the data is already there and just needs updating so there should be no need to start from scratch on this.

·         Councillor Hoy addressed the Leader in the absence of Councillor Mrs Laws. In Wisbech there is a development on the border called The Elms which sits in the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk (KLWN). Some years ago, residents of The Elms started discharging their surface water into the dyke behind Westmead Avenue. KLWN have done nothing about this despite complaints and the situation is getting worse with residents now discharging daily into the dyke and some 20-30 Fenland households are having their gardens flooded, causing a great deal of upset. Unfortunately, because The Elms sits in KLWN, FDC enforcement officers can take zero action so she would like to request a letter be sent to the Chief Executive at KLWN expressing disgust that they are doing nothing. Councillor Boden responded that he would write to both the Leader and Chief Executive of KLWN about this issue in the hope they will do the decent thing and stressed the importance of councils working collaboratively and in co-operation when necessary for the best outcome for all residents.

·         Councillor Hoy addressed Councillor Mrs French and said that it had been announced in the budget the end to retail and hospitality business rate relief. She had been contacted by several businesses about their concerns for the impact this will have on them, and she would like to know if there are figures available for how much is expected, how many businesses will be affected and the cost it will be to them because it will be interesting to know how this will affect Fenland. Councillor Mrs French said she had contacted ARP who are working on this and they will be providing an update in a full report hopefully late January.

·         Councillor Taylor addressed Councillor Boden regarding the drainage and flooding issue raised by Councillor Hoy and asked if that could not be referred to Middle Level and the Hundred of Wisbech Internal Drainage Board (IDB). Councillor Boden said in respect of the location it would not be an issue for them but more for the Kings Lynn IDB as IDB boundaries do not align with local authority boundaries. He would expect planning permission, which will have contained certain conditions, was given by KLWN; they will have been accepted by the local IDB, so it is for KLWN to enforce those conditions, and he is sure the Leader and Chief Executive of KLWN can use their knowledge and contacts to ensure whoever can, will take action. 

·         Councillor Mrs French advised Councillor Tierney she had been contacted over the last few months by several parents and young teenagers enquiring about work experience at FDC and he was going to see whether the council could re-offer this. Councillor Tierney apologised for his oversight regarding this and agreed the importance of providing work experience where possible; he will speak to officers and come back to her as soon as possible.

(Councillor Booth declared an interest by virtue of the fact he is Chair of Murrow Community Facilities in respect of the discussions concerning play equipment in the district).